2 Concrete in Australia Vol 38 No 2
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Improving concrete technology skills and education
In recent weeks, two
separate events have caused
me to ponder the state
of concrete technology
education in Australia.
e first was an
unidentified telephone
message which I received
at the university and was
consequently unable to
return the call.
In summary, the
caller was asking me to
correct my teaching of
concrete technology. ey were aghast that I was teaching
undergraduate students that the correct term was "concrete
placement". ey strongly argued that, as concrete was clearly
a liquid, that the only correct terminology was to "pour"
concrete and demanded I correct my teaching.
I would argue that whilst use of the phrase "concrete pour"
is inappropriately entrenched in the vernacular, concrete
is clearly not a liquid. e use of "placement" intrinsically
implies the need to place concrete with care, to compact
concrete well, and to follow good site practice. Indeed, well
respected publications such as the ACI Cement and Concrete
Terminology and concrete technology text books such as
Neville and Brooks refer to the "placing" of concrete.
at a senior practising engineer could so stridently espouse
the notion of concrete as a liquid left me wondering about
the state of concrete technology skills in the profession.
e second event occurred at a recent Concrete Institute of
Australia meeting where concerns were raised over the quality
of concrete technology education in Australian universities.
What followed was a discussion around the many issues
and constraints faced by Australian universities with respect
to the education of civil engineers.
Many in attendance wanted to know what the Concrete
Institute of Australia could do to improve the quality of civil
engineering graduates.
While the discussion initially meandered through lobbying
universities and Engineers Australia, the question was posed
as to what could be done directly to improve concrete
technology skills and education in Australia.
A variety of ideas were put forward -- offering to give
specialist lectures, developing teaching/lecture packages for
the university academics and developing structured CPD
programs and practical courses were among some of the
suggestions.
e Institute s mission is the promotion and development
of excellence in concrete technology, application, design and
construction throughout Australia. is clearly encompasses
the initial and continuing professional development of
concrete technology practitioners.
In July, the Institute, under the guidance of the Executive,
will review its Strategic Plan for 2013-2015. In the lead up to
this, we would welcome feedback from the membership on
what you believe the Institute should be focussing on.
e question I have for you, as a member of the Institute,
is: "What do you think the Concrete Institute of Australia
should be doing to fulfil our mission statement?"
I would encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas
via the email address below. We look forward receiving your
correspondence.
In this issue we introduce a new section on issues
surrounding Codes and Standards, aiming to stimulate some
debate in the industry and lead to further improvements in
the codes. e first issue looks at crack control and presents
a progress report from the Durability committee currently
working on producing a Recommended Practice Series on
Durability. e Standards Australia BD-10 Working Group
also provide an update of its work.
Technical papers look at a range of topics and include a
look into the effect of cold weather when placing pavement, a
comparison of durability test methods, an investigation into
manufactured sands, and an insight into the use of recycled
concrete in pavement construction.
Liza O Moore
President, Concrete Institute of Australia
president@concreteinstitute.com.au
Platinum Members